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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Islamic Marriage Components of an Ideal Islamic Marriage In the Islamic Law, marriage is an ‘aqd , a contract. The components of this contract are as follows: Proposal In Islam the process of proposal by a man to a woman for her hand in marriage, or for that matter, to her family, is encouraged. Islam considers this natural, and recommends it as an act of respectability and dignity for women.

Mahr And the intending husband is asked to offer a Mahr to the bride. The Quran says, **“** And give women their Mahr as a free gift, but if they of themselves be pleased to give up to you a portion of it, then eat it with enjoyment and with wholesome result.” (Surah an-Nisaa’, 4:4) The following points are worthy of consideration: a) Mahr must be agreed upon by the marrying partners themselves, not by parents. b) Mahr is her right, to which her husband remains indebted.

c) It is a free gift and not her price. The Mahr may be cash, kind or non-material (like training or teaching something). It can be paid up front or can be in form of promise to pay upon demands decided prior to the solemnization of marriage.[^1] Moajjal (immediate), Muwajjal and Indat-talab (on demand). However, it is much recommended to pay it before or at the time of Nikah itself.

The Nikah Ceremony According to Shariah, the wife-to-be says, ‘An Kah’tu nafsaka a’lal mah’ril ma’loom’ “I have given away myself in Nikah to you, on the agreed Mahr .” Immediately, the man (bridegroom) says, ‘Qabiltun Nikaha’. “I have accepted the Nikah .” With these pronouncements, they become husband and wife. If the marrying partners are not able to recite the formula in Arabic, one or two persons or priests[^2] are appointed and authorized to officiate.

One who represents the bride would first seek her explicit consent to officiate on her behalf, and so would the other who acts on behalf of the groom. Naturally, there would be a slight variation in the pronouncements, because the persons reciting them are appointees.